mortal
gb/mˈɔɹtəl/ us/mˈɔɹtəl/
B1
English
~ 2500
halandó, halálos, súlyos, erős, heves
B1
1
halandó
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is mortal
All human beings are mortal.
Minden ember halandó.
Unlike the gods of myth, we are mortal and fragile.
A mítoszok isteneivel ellentétben mi halandók és törékenyek vagyunk.
He realized in that moment that he was mortal.
Learner examples
I know I am mortal.
Tudom, hogy halandó vagyok.
All people are mortal.
Minden ember halandó.
She understands that everyone is mortal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mortal' with 'deadly'. 'Mortal' here means 'can die', not 'causing death'.
Meaning
Certain to die
Collocations
mortal being
|mortal life
|mortal man
|mortal world
Synonyms
perishable (Often used for things that spoil or decay, but also for living beings.)
|
finite (Focuses on having limits, often in time or quantity, not only life.)
Antonyms
immortal (Means never dying or living forever.)
Themes
life
|death
|humanity
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not able to live forever; sure to die one day.
Subject to death; not able to live forever.
NOUN
B1
2
halandó
B2
Usage pattern:
a/the mortal [verb]
The gods looked down on the mortals below.
Az istenek letekintettek az alattuk lévő halandókra.
As a mere mortal, I cannot run that fast.
Egyszerű halandóként nem tudok ilyen gyorsan futni.
Mortals cannot survive without food and water.
Learner examples
The gods spoke to the mortals.
Az istenek beszéltek a halandókhoz.
I am just a mortal.
Csak egy halandó vagyok.
Mortals need air to live.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'mortal' always refers to humans, but it can apply to any living creature.
Meaning
A being that can die
Collocations
mere mortal
|poor mortal
|ordinary mortal
Synonyms
human (Refers specifically to people, while 'mortal' can include other creatures.)
Antonyms
immortal (A being that cannot die.)
Themes
life
|death
|humanity
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or other living thing that can die.
A human being or other living creature subject to death.
B2
3
halálos
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is mortal [injury/blow/etc.]
He suffered a mortal wound in battle.
Halálos sebet kapott a csatában.
The warrior delivered a mortal blow to his opponent.
A harcos halálos csapást mért ellenfelére.
Without treatment, the disease could be mortal.
Learner examples
He got a mortal wound in the war.
Halálos sebet kapott a háborúban.
The snake gave a mortal bite.
A kígyó halálos marást ejtett rajta.
This cut is not mortal.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'mortal' here with 'deadly'; 'deadly' can mean very dangerous but not necessarily certain to kill.
Meaning
Causing certain death
Collocations
mortal wound
|mortal blow
|mortal enemy
Synonyms
fatal (Very common in describing injuries or accidents that cause death.)
Antonyms
nonfatal (Describes injuries or events that do not cause death.)
Themes
health
|danger
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Sure to cause death.
Certain to cause death; fatal.
B2
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
mortal [fear/danger/etc.]
She was in mortal fear of losing her child.
Halálos félelem gyötörte, hogy elveszítheti a gyermekét.
They were in mortal danger during the storm.
Halálos veszélyben voltak a vihar alatt.
He felt a mortal dread before the exam.
Learner examples
I was in mortal fear of the dog.
Halálosan féltem a kutyától.
We were in mortal danger in the sea.
Halálos veszélyben voltunk a tengeren.
She had mortal dread before the test.
Meaning
Extreme in degree or intensity
Collocations
mortal fear
|mortal danger
Synonyms
extreme (General term for very great degree.)
Antonyms
slight (Describes something small in degree or importance.)
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very great or extreme in degree.
Of the greatest intensity or seriousness; extreme.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mortal
IPA
GB/mˈɔɹtəl/
US/mˈɔɹtəl/
Syllables & stress
mor - tal (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mortal
Noun
- Base: mortal
- Plural: mortals
Word family
Forms
mortals
noun
Core family
mortality
noun B2
mortally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
immortal
adjective B2
immortality
noun B2
Advanced or less common
immortalize
verb C1
Expressions
in mortal danger
1/ˈɪn mˈɔɹtəl dˈeɪnd͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
At risk of dying soon
In great danger of dying.
Examples
- The hikers were in mortal danger when the storm hit.
- Without urgent help, she will be in mortal danger.
mortal blow
1/mˈɔɹtəl blˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
A strike causing certain death or defeat
An action that kills someone or completely ends something.
Examples
- The knight delivered a mortal blow to the dragon.
- The scandal dealt a mortal blow to his career.
mortal enemy
1/mˈɔɹtəl ˈɛnəmi/
fixed phrase
An enemy who wants your death or defeat
A person who hates you very much and wants to harm you completely.
Examples
- He has been my mortal enemy since childhood.
- In the story, the hero faces his mortal enemy in the final battle.